Hi all, I've been considering either a q45 or t50 for a while. I don't live in the states so have no chance to see or sit on one. I'm 169cm (5'6") with 40" x seam and I see in the specs for the q45 it has a 25" seat height. If I set up a rounded front seat at home 25" high and lean back on it a bit I'm on the tips of my toes to touch the ground. Does anyone with similar x seam ride the q45 and how do they get along with it. A photo would be good. As you would be ready to get moving, leaning back with one foot on a peddle and the other foot on the ground. With 4 panniers and loaded rack top I need to get good footing in rough conditions if things are going pear shaped. Most of my riding is dirt/mud/sand/potholed back roads as there are few tar roads so they carry all the traffic. The photos of the q45 show the seat mounts fairly high off the frame. Does it look possible to make lower seat mountings? I guess on a similar theme. I weigh 70kg (155lb) and seeing how there aren't lots of larger people complaining of suspension bottoming out I assume that my weight will barely move the shock. So I guess buying an alternative shock would be a must. I like the ability to strip the q45 for plane/long distance bus travel, with the t50 you can't shorten the frame. Strange that the q45 isn't available as a frame set as I'm not a fan of the 11 speed. I don't think 11 speed chains are robust enough for a touring bike and spare shifters and chains etc would be unavailable here. Any tips would be appreciated.
q45 suitability for shorter rider
- Thread starter barung
- Start date
benphyr
Guru-me-not
@barung Welcome!
I don't have a Q45 so can't do any of the comparison there however I have a conversion kit (see avatar picture) and a QX100. Things I have noticed that you touched on or fit my criteria:
- I am 5'8" - not sure of X seam.
-I weigh 136 and the stock shock on the QX100 works fine for me on road transitions (rough and/or frost heaved road to sidewalk ramps)
-I noticed immediately that the QX100 is significantly lower seat height.
-You could buy a used QX100 which came stock with a double chainring, 9-speed "rear" would cost less and would be slightly easier to pack for travel
-you could buy a Kind air shock for the rear which would be easily adjustable via air pressure
-the front triangle may be more packable?? but is not as efficient (you probably won't notice that for one or several years until you are an expert Cruzbiker), nor a light, nor as aesthetically nice looking as the Q45/S40/V20.
-would be significantly cheaper and a good way to start
-Any T50, Q45, QX100 would have plenty of space for large tires and fenders - highly advised considering your riding conditions
Best of luck on your decisions. Where do you live?
castlerobber
Zen MBB Master
I don't have a Q45 either. I have an older version, the one before the QX100.
I'm 5'5" (165 cm), x-seam about 40.5". When I bought my Q in 2014, I too was concerned with seat height. Back then they sold it with a choice of 26" (559) wheels or 20" (451) wheels, so I went with the smaller wheels to get a lower seat height. After a couple of years, I upgraded to a set of 24" (507) wheels, which was a nice compromise between the two original sizes, and still gave me a manageable seat height. All that to say, changing wheelsets for a different size is an option.
I'm 5'5" (165 cm), x-seam about 40.5". When I bought my Q in 2014, I too was concerned with seat height. Back then they sold it with a choice of 26" (559) wheels or 20" (451) wheels, so I went with the smaller wheels to get a lower seat height. After a couple of years, I upgraded to a set of 24" (507) wheels, which was a nice compromise between the two original sizes, and still gave me a manageable seat height. All that to say, changing wheelsets for a different size is an option.
Its not looking like too many shorter people ride the q45 to pass on feedback. It makes it difficult to be on the opposite side of the world and can't see and sit on the bike myself. Not being available as a frame set means a much bigger expense to be changing wheelsets/gearsets straight up. The 24"wheels sound a good way to go as there are 24x55 big apples available. Anyway, cheers.
